Decorating: Five Essential Pieces for a Midcentury Mood

From sleek sideboards to sweet wooden figures, the midcentury period gave birth to a host of beautiful pieces that still look fresh today

Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights to create in-depth features. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!

Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More

We may not aspire to live in Don Draper’s house, but lots of us are drawn to midcentury modern design, and with good reason. This innovative, streamlined style was born in the central decades of the last century as the world emerged from its second global conflict in 50 years and began to look for something more contemporary, exciting and future-focused. The result was a style that placed an emphasis on natural shapes, clean lines and easy-to-live-with pieces, and it still appeals today. So how can you weave some midcentury magic into your home? These five essential pieces are a great place to start.

Select some shapely seatingSquashy sofas may be comfy, but to instantly rock a midcentury look, find a design with a wooden frame. This gives the piece the clean, organic lines that were key during this period. Choose upholstery in a soft, natural tone and, to really make the most of those clean lines, ditch the scatter cushions and leave it gloriously unadorned.

Genuine midcentury pieces can be expensive, such is their desirability, but there are lots of good alternatives available today. In fact, most contemporary furniture companies have a range of sofas and armchairs that borrow unashamedly from midcentury design, copying its shapes and aesthetics. This chair is actually from Ikea and artfully references classic midcentury, wooden-framed seating.

Look for space-age lightingThe race for space dominated the central decades of the 20th century, with the Russians launching the first satellite into space in October 1957. It was named Sputnik 1 and it spawned a huge range of equally space-age chandeliers and lights carrying its name.

Vintage lighting from the midcentury period does not come without a hefty price tag, but there are numerous great alternatives available that feature the same multi-barbed style with bulbs at each tip. Choose a design that’s exuberant and hang it as a statement piece, not an afterthought!

Make room for a sideboardSideboards reached new heights of sleekness and style in the midcentury period, and evolved into an indispensable piece that offered heaps of living-space storage. Typically made in mid- or light-toned wood, midcentury sideboards can slot into almost any space. For a harmonious fit, team with wooden pieces that share the same tone.

Sideboards from the midcentury period are easy to come by and vary in price. If you like the shape but want to modernise the style, find an inexpensive piece and upcycle it by painting the doors or drawers.

Hang a striking clockGeorge Nelson designed a range of fabulous clocks during the midcentury period, all with names that echo their shapes, including the Spindle and the Eye clocks. This is the Sunburst clock, designed for Vitra in 1949. It brings a shot of midcentury style to this simple kitchen and its colours pick up on the green cabinets, too.

Don’t have an original George Nelson clock? No problem: simply let his work inspire your timepiece choices. Choose something with the radiating, starburst shape that was so often used during this optimistic period.

Add some accessoriesMidcentury design celebrated natural materials and pared-down forms and some of the most iconic accessories of this period sum up these aesthetics beautifully. These wooden birds were designed by Kristian Vedel in 1959 and were an instant success, becoming one of the most successful Danish wooden products of the 1950s.

Kay Bojesen’s beautiful wooden figures, designed for Danish design house Rosendahl, show a more playful side of midcentury design. He created his classic monkey in 1951 and it remains today both a popular toy and a design icon.

TELL US…Do you have any midcentury pieces in your home? Post photos and tell us about them in the Comments below.

I moved from an old Victorian cottage to a mid century house and realised that my rather vertical furniture (tall cabinets, high-backed chairs etc) would not work with the lower ceilings and wide low windows. They were all ditched in exchange for 2nd hand low backed vinyl chairs, peg-leg table and long low sideboard. All picked up from 2nd hand dealers at very reasonable prices. I have since replaced the the dining chairs with replica Eames chairs (white, with peg legs) which are supremely comfortable and provide lightness both visually and spatially.

I think that the essence of Mid-century style is horizontal clean lines. Love it! And love the interesting lamps shown above - must look out for these!

My twist on the lamp thing is to take my mother's turned oak standard lamp stand and attach a large cream glass 'jelly mold' shade upside down on top. I suppose this is a rather '40s look - but quite effective!